Friday, July 22, 2005

Trucker's Strike

The truckers are on strike down here in Puerto Rico. One of the things that I currently cannot purchase because of the strike is gas.

I'm currently sitting at a quarter of a tank, with a few gallons in a container out back (for the lawnmower, but now for emergency truck fuel). In the states, there would be people driving across state lines to drive trucks, but since we're on an island and the truckers are SHOOTING AT OTHER TRUCKS, the place is pretty much shut down.

1) Gee, this is the gun free island of Puerto Rico! Getting a gun here practically takes an act of god, and yet we have people shooting at trucks with guns. Hmmmmmm.... I guess we can call that another gun control success story, right?

2) The truckers get paid damn near nothing, and cost of living in Puerto Rico is sky high. Honestly, I can understand why the truckers are pissed off. The tolls have been raised, (and there are toll booths everywhere), the price of gas has gone up, making it harder to do business, and the roads suck. But guess what folks - the people of Puerto Rico have put themselves into this situation. They have elected a socialist type of government not once, but for a generation. This island could be one of the most advanced in the world, and yet in some instances it seems like they're barely clinging on to first-world status.

Honestly, I think it's time for Puerto Rico to shit or get off the pot: Become a soverigne country, or become the 51st state. If I recall correctly, that was put to a vote in Puerto Rico, and the people voted for the status quo. I think there needs to be a new vote, with only two choices. State, or Country?

I don't think it'll happen anytime soon, but that's what should happen.

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